Management of Contaminated Sites and Land in Central and Eastern Europe

Albania

Country Characterisation

Emerging from 45 years of an isolated and a strict central planning regime, Albania has embarked on a comprehensive program of policy reforms in all major sectors of society. One of the key elements of reform policy has been a privatisation programme in all sectors of the economy. In this context, laws have been introduced by the parliament in 1995 to allow private unrestricted ownership of land. Since then, the privatisation of the land has been completed.

The transition period has shown to be difficult for Albania accompanied by many social and economic problems, and during the first month of 1997 the situation was critical with strong pressure on political and social equilibrium of the country.

The population density of Albania is relatively high. Approximately 60% of the population live in rural area (the highest percentage in Europe).

During the former regime, Albania has suffered from social and economic problems including among others environmental degradation and poor natural resource management. The transition period left a vacuum with respect to the management of the environment and in this period environmental problems became fully visible. However, shortage of institutional and managerial as well as financial capacity has limited the effectiveness in addressing these problems.

The first environmental strategy study was prepared during 1992-93 in co-operation with the World Bank. It formed the basis for the National Environmental Action Plan (N.E.A.P.) which was approved by the Government in January 1994. The N.E.A.P. includes an action programme for short, medium and long term action as well as a series of priority projects related to sewage treatment, urban waste, deforestation and measures against erosion.

In January 1993, the Albanian parliament endorsed the basic law for environmental protection and some other laws related in particular to environmental items. Recently it was also approved to establish a national environmental agency as an independent body. Before, the Committee for Environmental Protection was attached to the Ministry of Health. As most administrative structures are new, capacity building and institutional development are key components in a move towards better management of environmental policies and investments.

A number of programmes have been initiated or developed during the transition period as for instance: PHARE, Environmental Programme for Albania (since 1993), National Water Strategy, National Waste Management Plan, Lake Ohrid Conservation Project, Forestry Project, and Environmental Centre for Administration and Technology (since 1995).

Legal and Administrative Basis

Definition of Contaminated Sites and Land

There is no specific definition for contaminated sites and land.

Legislation

A basic law for environmental protection was approved by the Albanian parliament in 1993. Two other lows related to soil protection have been endorsed in 1996:

	The law for forestry.
	The law for the management of urban wastes.

The problem of contaminated sites and land raises a number of legal and administrative issues. It is important to elaborate a comprehensive legislation with respect to systematic recording and monitoring of contaminated sites, preventive measures, suitable land use, and clean-up procedures.

Implementation of Limit Values

Also existing are two old regulations providing standards for concentrations of pollutants in drinking water hence in industrial wastewater discharges. Within the N.E.A.P. programme it is planned to prepare specific legislation and implement regulations and standards in the areas of forestry, use of agrochemicals, and solid and hazardous waste management.

Several specific studies related to soil protection have been planned within the N.E.A.P activities. Included are activities such as developing a strategy for reduction of soil erosion, evaluate use and application of agrochemicals, develop and implement a strategy for the safe disposal of unused agrochemicals, develop a master plan for safe disposal of industrial and hazardous wastes, evaluate waste disposal practices of industry and mining prevent negative impacts on soil, establish priorities and develop guidelines for minimising damage to soil environment etc.

Until now it is noted that many of the planned activities have not been implemented. This is caused by several factors including lack of co-ordination between various ministries and governmental institutions, insufficient financial resources etc.

Responsible Public Authorities

Management of contaminated sites and land is performed by three state institutions:

	The Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
	The Ministry of Construction.
	The National Environmental Agency.

It is noted that the National Environmental Agency is in the process of reviewing and updating of the N.E.A.P.

Up to now there are no inventories on contaminated sites.

Sources of Soil and Groundwater Contamination

The environmental strategy study made in co-operation with the World Bank (1992-93) and other surveys made recently show that the most important environmental problems concerning land in Albania are:

	Soil erosion. Agricultural policies of the past have let to strong erosion of soils. In addition to some natural factors as high rainfall in short periods of the year and the pedological composition of the soil, other factors have had a significant impact such as deforestation, poor maintenance of hillside terraces, overgrazing of pastures etc.
	Contamination of soil is some rural areas due to misapplication of fertilisers, pesticides and other agrochemicals. A relative high use of fertilisers and other chemicals was due to the effort to maximise the productivity of the arable land. More than 70 different pesticides were produced and used (roughly about 3 – 30 kg/ha per year), some of which are highly toxic and have been banned from use in most countries. The high use of fertilisers and pesticides seems to have caused contamination not only of arable land but also of water in rivers, lakes, sea and probably groundwater. Besides this, accidental spills and pesticide manufacture present problems. At the end of 1996 there were about 700-800 ton banned or non-usable pesticides. Until now, no regulations exist on the use of fertilisers and pesticides.
	Contamination of soil caused by discharges of industrial waste, mainly from oil, mining and chemical industry. It is difficult to evaluate the scale of the problems, as appropriate data are not available. Former activities have often resulted in soil contamination at these sites. Many of the large industrial enterprises responsible for severe contamination have been closed during the transition period. It seems, however, that soil contamination at the sites continue to have negative impact on the health of neighbouring inhabitants, and on flora and fauna for a relatively long period.
	Urbanisation of agricultural areas. Among others, the transition period has been characterised by migration of population from less developed areas towards more developed areas especially near the major cities (Tirana, Durres, Vlora, Shkodra etc.). The political and economic changes created favourable conditions for illegal building leading to rapid urbanisation of agricultural areas. The urbanisation is leading to an array of negative phenomena among others environmental problems in these areas including groundwater contamination.

Pollution from oil fields is mainly due to oil spills and leakage from pumps, and deficiency of adequate equipment for treatment and safe disposal of liquid and solid wastes. After simple separation of e.g. water and lubricants by decantation, the wastewater is discharged into rivers. Substantial quantities of solid waste containing various toxic components are deposited in dumps without any preliminary treatment. Large parts of former oil field areas are used for agriculture but ought to be remediated.

Mining and industrial processing of copper, chromium and iron-nickel have produced substantial amounts of liquid and solid wastes, which often have high contents of toxic substances. During the two years of 1995-96 the amount of solid waste generated from chromium and copper industries was 1,1 million tonne. Often, the waste was discharged directly into rivers or elsewhere in nearby disposal areas. Now, only a few mines and industrial processing plants are in operation thus decreasing the pollution rates. For years, however, large amounts of solid wastes were accumulated in open dumps without any precaution causing serious problems for inhabitants in nearby areas. The amount of mine wastes accumulated in dumps is estimated to approximately 12,5 million tonne.

Since 1991 nearly all chemical plants have stopped working. Some derelict industrial sites are contaminated due to production and waste disposal and need to be remediated.

The improper disposal of waste and sludge is an environmental problem of great concern in Albania. The amount of municipal solid waste during 1995-96 was about 700000 tonne. In 1996, the parliament approved a law on the management of urban waste, but no changes have been observed following this. No landfills exist for the municipal solid waste. The waste is disposed in open dumps without any treatment and precaution. In most cases the domestic waste is collected together with industrial waste and no separate disposal is used.

An environmental problem, that is special for Albania, is the 700000 bunkers built throughout the country during the former regime. The previous proposals on the demolition of these have all been costly and further studies must be made to reach an optimal solution.

It is important to note also, that the natural content of manganese, chromium, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc is relatively high in Albanian soil. Previously, contents e.g. of chromium and nickel of 3865 mg/kg respectively 3597 mg/kg have been found in soil from the Prenjas area, and of copper and zinc of 1107 mg/kg respectively 2495 mg/kg have been found in soil from the Rubik area.

Number of Registered Contaminated Sites / Contaminated Land Areas

There is no estimate on the number of contaminated sites.

Examples of acute cases that pose major risks at local levels are:

	Heavy contamination with mercury in an area at the beach of Vlora caused by an obsolete PVC-plant.
	An area near Durres contaminated with chromate, pesticide residues, and aluminium sulphate waste caused by a chemical plant.
	An area surrounding the large metallurgical and chemical production complex in Elbasan.

Two categories of contaminated land may be investigated:

	Large areas (including agricultural land) contaminated from distance or non-point sources.
	Discrete areas of industrial or other obvious contaminating activities.

The data collection must comprise the location of each site or area, its size, present and former use, and main contaminants present. Also important is the risk posed by the site or area on the groundwater, the surface water and the people living nearby. Costs will be a major consideration in the planing of any site surveys.

Information on the contamination state of soils is fundamental to future policy development. Also important in this context is development of standards for the sampling and analysis of soil.

Handling and Treatment of Excavated Contaminated Soil

Up till now, no facilities exist for treatment or proper depositing of contaminated soil.

Measures Used by Remediation of Soil and Groundwater Contamination

In Albania up to 1990, improving measures have been used only for soils with high content of magnesium, salt soils and acid soils. Magnesium soils (about 12000 ha) stretch mainly on the north-eastern of the country. Generally, they also contain other metals (Ni, Cr, Fe, etc.). The used improving measures are drainage and liming. Salt soils (about 12000 ha) stretch mainly on the western part. As improving measures are used drainage, natural and artificial rinsing and gipsing. Acid soils (about 85 000 ha) are in the form of spots in the whole country. The used improving measures are drainage and liming.

At present, for the remediation of contaminated soils at the oilfield in Patos-Marinza, clean-up of the contaminated soils is made to enable the land to be brought back into beneficial use.

During 1998, in a territory contaminated by pesticides residues near Durres, work has been made for the movement of the pesticides to secure places, away from the populated areas.

So far, no measures have been used for the remediation of soil contaminated from discharges of industry (mining and chemical industry).

Different parts of the country are studied regarding contamination of soils and waters. Involved projects are for example:

	"Soil and water contamination in the most sensitive environmental areas of the country" (financed by the National Environmental Agency of Albania).
	"Diagnosing and identifying of contaminated soils and plants from heavy metals in serpentine and industrial zones" (realised by the Agricultural University of Tirana and the Soil Science Institute in Albania and INPL Nancy in France).
	"Soil Contamination by mercury in an area in the beach of Vlora (financed by the National Environmental Agency of Albania and realised by the Chemical Institute of Tirana).
	"The Rehabilitation of the Patos-Marinza oilfield, Albania" (financed by the PHARE program and realised by Oawok (English company) and Albpetroleum of Albania).

The last mentioned project was finished in 1996. The objectives of the soil survey were to assess the lateral and vertical extent of ground contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons within the Patos-Marinza oilfield. The soil survey comprised the sampling and analysis of soil samples taken in the vicinity of selected oil wells, group stations and treatment stations. A review of the field data and chemical analysis results has been undertaken along with an assessment of the risk posed by the contamination to the local population and the environment. Recommendations have been made on the requirements for remedial measures to reduce contamination concentrations to acceptable levels along with budget costs and priorities for implementation.

Soon the second phase of the project "The Rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage systems" starts in Albania financed by Word Bank. The environmental evaluation of 9 basins is accomplished. The waters of irrigation and drainage systems have been analysed and their quality evaluated according to FAO guidelines (1983). The results of this study will be taken into consideration during the rehabilitation of the irrigation and drainage systems of each basin. This project includes also the monitoring of water quality and fertility of soils in these areas.

There are many problems concerning the contamination of soils and waters, but the possibilities for their remediation are very small. In Albania, remediation activities for soils and waters are almost missing. So far, the most of the realised projects have consisted of identifying the environmental situation.

As an example is mentioned a company operating in Albania named Anglo-Albpetroleum company, and dealing with oil extraction at the Patos-Marinza oilfield. There is a contract with respective obligations signed between this company and the landowners, where it operates. The company is obliged to improve the land damaged or to reimburse the owners for the damage caused. In the latter case, the farmer is obliged to himself accomplish these improving measures.

The disagreements between the parties need to be sent to the courts. However, there have been no problems of that nature, so far.

So far no special strategy and national policy for contaminated land has been developed. Soil protection requires an integrated approach within the larger context of environmental protection and sustainable development.

In 1995, with a decision of the Albanian Government some institutions have to monitor the quality of soils and waters. So far this decision has not been executed because the government has not granted the money for organising of the activity.

There are many problems in the areas of contaminated soils. Low economic level of farmers and the financial impossibility of the state to support them, has led to the abandoning and degrading of most contaminated soils. The difficult conditions of the farmers in these areas have caused the migration of the population on the west of country, especially in the cities Tirana, Durres, Vlora or abroad.

Erosion is one of the important factors of soil degradation in Albania. The effect of some objective factors (climate-soils conditions) and subjective factors (absence of investments to soil protection, cutting of trees, etc.) has caused the increase of erosion in all the country.

Contaminated soils at the Patos-Marinza oilfield

Soil contamination by crude oil is widespread around the oilfield installations as oil wells, group stations and treatment stations throughout the Patos-Marinza Oilfield. The oilfield equipment is generally in poor condition due to the effects of corrosion and lack of preventative maintenance, and leakage of oil to the ground are therefore common at all stages of production.

Typical penetration of oil contamination within the soil profile was found to be on average 0.53 m in the vicinity of the oil wells and between 0.80 and 0.90 m at the group and treatment stations investigated.

The volume of contaminated soil at each of the oilfield installations investigated has been calculated. It is estimated that on average a volume of 150 m³ of oil contaminated soil is present at each oil well and that 1600 m³ and 14900 m³ of contaminated soil is present at each group station and treatment station respectively. Approximately 67.4 ha of contaminated ground exist throughout the oilfield. The actual total area of contaminated ground within the oilfield is therefore considered to be significantly higher than estimated above.

Land contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons can present a potential hazard to a number of different receptors providing that plausible pollutant linkage exist. Consequently a brief qualitative risk assessment has been undertaken which has identified a number of risks associated with the soil contamination present the Patos-Marinza Oilfield.

Surface water pollution of drainage ditches, streams and rivers is considered to be a major problem within and beyond the oilfield, as evidenced by the frequently observed free oil floating on the top of the water courses, and the common observations of black oil staining on banks of ditches, rivers and streams. The remedial measures are required in order to reduce the risks posed to the human and environmental receptors to an acceptable level.

For the potential risks, particularly those to human health, animals, plants, water pollution and amenity, it is concluded that remedial measures are required in order to reduce the risks posed to the human and environmental receptors to an acceptable level.

Contaminated soil due to mining activities

There are some data concerning contaminated soil in areas with mining activities. The data are shown in the table below.

Also, some plants were observed in the studied areas. In the table below there are some data for the content of heavy metals found in the plants in these areas.

Information provided by Valentina Suljoti at the National Environmental Agency of Albania. March 31, 1999.

Shalari, S. et al. (1996). Diagnosing and identifying of contaminated soils and plants from heavy metals in serpentine and industrial zones. Bulletin of agricultural sciences, no. 3, 1996.

Full Environmental Benchmark Survey for the Rehabilitation of the Patos-Marinza Oilfield, Albania. Draft final report, vol. 3 of 7: Soil Survey (annex 3), January 1997.

Cullaj, A. & V. Suljoti (1998). Chemical contamination of land and water in Albania. State of the art report, Warsaw Meeting, Sept. 18, 1998.

Laze, P., V. Suljoti, Sh. Lushaj & J. Borici (1999). Soil and water contamination in the most sensitive environmental areas of the country. Final Report of project, Soil Science Institute, 1999.

Data from the Soil Directory in the Agricultural and Food Ministry of Albania. March 1999.

Ad Hoc International Working Group on Contaminated Land (1998). Ad Hoc CEE Forum on Contaminated Land. Report of the Warsaw Meeting, September 18, 1998. Report from the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape.

POPIN (Population Information Network) (1999). The Demography of Countries with Economies in Transition. At gopher://gopher.undp.org/00/ungophers/popin/wdtrends.

UN/ECE Statistical Division (1998). Trends in Europe and North America. 1998 Statistical Yearbook of the UN/ECE. At http://www.unece.org/stats/trend/trend_h.htm. Based on figures from 1994 – 1997.